It is the reason that we can clearly see the influence of feminist school of thought and the feminist value in literature and prominence of woman like Virginia Woolf. No doubt that the forerunners of this women’s movement were female writers. It was an awakening being recorded in words by female creators of words. Feminism and literature co-exist from the very first day the movement was born. In fact, they inspired the present generation too. NA: Of course, they play a leading role in constructing feminism in Urdu literature.
STF: Did really female writers and poets play a role in shaping up the ‘F’ factor in Urdu literature? One should not consider it as a movement against men. The basic theme of feminism is to eliminate gender discrimination and achieving equal status for women. We have been watching wide ranging gender discrimination from centuries on. It is evident in arts, sociology, politics, and literature too. It is a school of thought and its influence can be seen on every walk of life and every field of life. This concept took a sharp rise during 20th century in both East and the West. It is a philosophy of life and way of thinking. NA: The concept of feminism is clearly defined as a movement for women’s socio-economic and political rights. STF: How would you define feminism and its presence in Urdu literature? In an interview with The Express Tribune, Dr Abbasi defines grey lines of oppression and inequality in society while mapping the perceptivity of feminism-the ‘F’ factor in Urdu literature. The very first hint of feminism that we see in Urdu literature is when women gave up their titles of ‘Mrs’ and ‘Daughter of’ and the like and made their own identity in the world of literature back in the early 1900s. They came forward and started writing with their real names. But the scenario changed with time and women rejected this kind of identity that was dependent on a man. Her book explores the history of feminism in Urdu fiction writing.Įarly female writers in Urdu did not write by their own names and went by suffixes like ‘daughter of’, ‘wife of’ or ‘mother of’, hiding behind a man's identity, living as his shadow like Zahida Khatoon Shervania who penned as ZKS with a hidden identity. Prior to publishing these books she had published her PhD thesis ‘Urdu ke Afsanvi Adab me Nisai Lubo Lehja’ (feminine tone and accent in Urdu fiction writing).
She has authored two collections of poems, a book of literary criticism and research titled Nuskhaha-i-Fikr. When it comes to analysing literary works of Dr Abbasi, it turned out to be more prolific than most of her contemporaries. She has achieved a place in Urdu literature, where she is the supremo of soft feminine diction, melting voice and a tone that many would long for. Dr Abbasi is a poet who has carved a niche of her own. She is widely acclaimed for her sharp and incisive poetic expression, for having a feminist view, and for celebrating women’s voice and attitude in the universal human struggle for equality, justice, and freedom. A frequent face in literary activities, Dr Abbasi received Parveen Shakir Aks-e-Khushboo award for her book of poem ‘Waqt ki Dastak’.
She also has participated in International Urdu conferences and Mushairas. She is associated with good number of literary guilds and the president of Dabistan e-Ghazal. With four published books, alongside contributions to various magazines and other publications, this progressive poet is an important presence on the map of Pakistani poetry in Urdu. Dr Abbasi heads the department of Urdu literature at a private university. Whatever she has penned is a result of the urge from within herself to write on that subject. A poet as well as a social curator and critic, she also explores feminism and relishes the contradictions and complexities around her in her verses. Dr Nuzhat Abbasi is one of Pakistan’s best-known contemporary women poet, who also has a most natural prowess and elegance with which she brings verse to life.